Firm News

Blankingship & Keith partner Juli Porto obtains a pair of appellate victories for her clients

July 8th, 2022

Blankingship & Keith partner Juli Porto successfully pursued a pair of appeals on behalf of two separate clients in the Virginia Court of Appeals in Family Law matters.

The first, resulted in a victory for her client, with the court affirming the trial court’s judgement regarding the distribution of marital assets. The court upheld the trial court, finding that it had not erred in four of its judgements asserted by the appellee. As a result, her client maintained a $10 million gift of stock as separate property in the divorce.

Partner Juli Porto Participated in a Panel on Virginia's Refashioned Appellate System

June 30th, 2022

Blankingship & Keith partner Juli Porto participated in a moderated panel discussion at the 2022 Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting on June 17. The panel offered practical advice about handling appeals in Virginia’s refashioned appellate system. Topics included a structural overview of the new appellate process; best practices for pursuing an appeal of the right to the Court of Appeals; pitfalls to avoid; and initial impressions of the new appellate landscape. Additional speakers included Court of Appeals of Virginia Judges Hon. Stuart A. Raphael and Hon. Lisa M. Lorish.

Blankingship &Keith Partner to Receive a 2022 Fairfax Bar Association Award

May 31st, 2022

Blankingship & Keith partner Mary Huff was selected to receive a 2022 President’s Award in appreciation of her outstanding service to the Fairfax Bar Association at the Annual Meeting Luncheon on June 7.

Blankingship & Keith and Our Community

May 26th, 2022

Recently we had an opportunity to help our neighbors, through volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank's outdoor community market in Reston, VA, on Saturday, May 14. Through this program individuals and businesses help provide emergency groceries and nutrition education and fight against food insecurity in our community. The Food Bank’s program is a remarkable gift to the community, serving more than for over 200 families and persons in need.

$1.475 Million Settlement for Violation of Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code-Related Personal Injury

May 24th, 2022

We are pleased to announce a $1.475 million settlement for our client who was injured after tripping over a displaced cement slab.

Our client, who is disabled with rheumatoid arthritis, was walking in an outdoor retail courtyard when he tripped over a displaced cement slab. His fall resulted in a fracture of his left elbow. His elbow became infected and required replacement surgery. The area had been the subject of several repairs caused by settling fill dirt and was in violation of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Fifteen Blankingship & Keith Attorneys are Recognized as Super Lawyers

May 9th, 2022

The 2022 edition Super Lawyers© includes 15 attorneys from Blankingship & Keith, PC. David J. Gogal and John A.C. Keith are listed in the Top 100 and James R. Meizanis, Jr. Matthew P. Tsun are named rising stars.

Attorneys are selected to Super Lawyer© based upon independent research and a peer-evaluation process to capture a consensus from leaders in the legal field regarding their peers’ accomplishments and capabilities.

Our attorneys listed in 2022 Super Lawyers© are:

Chidi James to Become President-Elect of the Virginia State Bar

March 16th, 2022

Fairfax, Va., March 16 - Blankingship & Keith partner Chidi James will become the president-elect of the Virginia State Bar (VSB) at their annual meeting in June and the first black man to be president-elect of the VSB in the Bar’s 84-year history.

Blankingship & Keith Wins Important Decision for 7 Virginia School Districts

February 10th, 2022

Chidi James Announced as FBA James Keith Public Service Awardee

January 5th, 2022

Blankingship & Keith partner Chidi James was recently announced the winner of the James Keith Public Service Award by the Fairfax Bar Association.

The award recognizes an attorney who has demonstrated a long-standing dedication to providing pro bono legal services.

Named after The Honorable James Keith who, after a lifetime of service to the public, donated more than twelve years during his retirement to serve as an in-house pro bono attorney with the Fairfax office of the Legal Aid Society.

David Rust Clarke Named Washingtonian Magazine 2021 Top Divorce Lawyer

December 1st, 2021

Blankingship & Keith principal David Rust Clarke has been named a Top Divorce Lawyer in the December 2021 issue of Washingtonian Magazine. David has over 40 years of experience in family and his clients include owners of closely held businesses, CEO's and other professionals.